Yeast Infection

Yeast is a fungus normally found on your skin. It’s also found in your digestive system. If you’re a woman, you also have yeast in your vaginal area. When too much yeast grows on your skin or other areas, it can cause an infection. This infection is also called candidiasis.

A yeast infection can happen if your skin gets damaged. Yeast can
also overgrow in warm or humid conditions. An infection can also happen if you have a
weak immune system. Taking antibiotics can also cause an overgrowth of yeast. That’s
because antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in your body that normally keep the yeast
in balance.

Anyone can get a yeast infection. Those at higher risk for it include:

• Babies
• People who wear dentures
• People taking antibiotics
• People getting cancer treatment
• People with other health conditions, such as HIV or diabetes

The symptoms of a yeast infection
depend on where it is in the body. The chart below shows the most common symptoms of a
yeast infection. But yours may be slightly different.

Location	Symptoms
Skin folds or belly button	Rash with redness and skin breakdown Patches that ooze clear fluid Pimples Itching or burning
Vagina	White or yellow discharge from the vagina Itching Redness in the outer part of the vagina Burning
Penis	Redness on the underside of the penis Scaling on the underside of the penis Painful rash on the underside of the penis
Mouth (thrush)	White patches on the tongue and inside of the cheeks Redness or soreness  Trouble swallowing may mean you have yeast in your food pipe (esophagus)
Corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)	Cracks or tiny cuts at the corners of the mouth
Nail beds	Swelling Pain Pus White or yellow nail that separates from the nail bed

The symptoms of a yeast infection may look like other skin conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and health
history. He or she will also give you a physical exam. He or she may scrape off a bit of
skin or remove part of a nail and check it to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It
will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Yeast infections can sometimes be
treated with anti-yeast (antifungal) creams. Here are some treatments you may have,
depending on where the infection is:

• Yeast
  infection of the vagina or penis. These can be treated with creams or
  medicated suppositories. Sometimes anti-yeast medicine taken by mouth (orally) is
  used.
• Yeast
  infection in the mouth (thrush). This may be treated with a medicated
  mouthwash. Or it may be treated with lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
• Severe
  infection or a weak immune system. You may need to take an oral anti-yeast
  medicine.
• Yeast
  infection in the food pipe (esophagus). These are often treated with
  anti-yeast medicines taken by mouth or given by IV.
• Yeast
  infection of the nails. These are treated with an oral anti-yeast
  medicine.
• Yeast
  infection in the skin folds. These can be treated with anti-yeast
  powders.

You can prevent some yeast infections by doing these things:

• Keep your mouth clean and healthy to
  help prevent yeast infection in your mouth (called thrush). This includes brushing
  and flossing your teeth every day and using mouthwash as needed.
• Wear cotton underwear to help prevent
  a vaginal or genital yeast infection. If you are a woman and get vaginal yeast
  infections often, you may want to take probiotics.
• Keep areas where skin rubs up against skin dry and try to reduce friction.

See your healthcare provider if you get symptoms of infection. These
include warm, reddened skin or drainage. A secondary bacterial infection can happen. So
watch for spreading redness, swelling, or pain.

• A yeast infection is caused by yeast
  on the skin or mucous membranes.
• The symptoms depend on where it
  happens on your body. Common symptoms are a rash, white discharge, or itching.
• People at higher risk include babies, people who wear dentures,
  and those who are taking antibiotics or getting cancer treatment.
• Yeast infections are treated with
  medicated creams or other anti-yeast (antifungal) preparations.
• Some yeast infections can be prevented. Wearing cotton underwear
  can help prevent a vaginal or genital yeast infection.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.